Does anyone have the Cat Direct Mast Up rig? If so, does it really work and is it easy to use? What about the newer Mast rasising system that I see at the on-line store for about $400.00?
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Does anyone have the Cat Direct Mast Up rig? If so, does it really work and is it easy to use? What about the newer Mast rasising system that I see at the on-line store for about $400.00?
Mast Raising System
Mast raising systems have enjoyed a good evolution of design with one of the latest and I think best being the "Standing A Frame" If the boat is level sideways, it doesn't even need baby stays. It can be configured to use either a very small trailer winch bolted to one of the A frame legs or run the pull up line through the jib car and back to a sheet winch. The system is very inexpensive and can be built using 2x4s or conduit. Check out the sketch
Mast raising systems have enjoyed a good evolution of design with one of the latest and I think best being the "Standing A Frame" If the boat is level sideways, it doesn't even need baby stays. It can be configured to use either a very small trailer winch bolted to one of the A frame legs or run the pull up line through the jib car and back to a sheet winch. The system is very inexpensive and can be built using 2x4s or conduit. Check out the sketch
Dont know if your still looking but did you try
the archive's.. there was some different variations of what you're lookin for in there..
the archive's.. there was some different variations of what you're lookin for in there..
Length of A-Frame Legs
Arlyn: What is the approximate length of the "A-Frame Legs made from 2 x 4s" shown on your sketch? If electrical conduit is used, what diameter and length of conduit are used? Thanks for sharing this information with us, Aldo
Arlyn: What is the approximate length of the "A-Frame Legs made from 2 x 4s" shown on your sketch? If electrical conduit is used, what diameter and length of conduit are used? Thanks for sharing this information with us, Aldo
Mast Up
I hesitated to post my home made gin pole "mast up" solution because the "A" frame design is better than mine. I made a hinge at the mast plate for the mast & also at the gin pole lower end where it is hinged to the mast plate. I secure a doubled line from the end of the gin pole, around the mast, above the spreader. Another line from the end of the gin pole to a temporary block at the stem fitting & then back to the gib sheet winch or the cabin top halyard winch. Either winch works & are within reach while standing in the cockpit. When bringing the mast down, I put three wraps on the jibsheet winch & just slip it down, guiding the mast into the crutch with my other hand. My mast crutch should be a foot longer to get a better angle when first starting the "up" procedure. The gin pole is 1" aluminum conduit, two 4' sections. This is real strong. The crutch also 1" aluminum, total length 6' in two sections, fits into the rudder gudgeons. This works well for me but not as secure as the "A" frame design. I get some side wobble. One big potential problem! My shroud turnbuckles do not have toggles. Even though I unscrew the turnbuckles about 10 turns when raising or lowering the mast, the shrouds can become taut enough to bend the lower clevis part of the turnbuckle. I have to rotate the chain plate fitting to the direction that the shroud & turnbuckle has to rotate. When the mast is up, the chainplate fittings have to be aligned to the mast so the tension force on the shroud will not bend the tunbuckle clevis end. I think that a toggle should be a standard fitting? I never use the gin pole if I have a helper. It is easier to snap a line onto the forestay & just pull the mast up. One person can do it easily. The other person in the cockpit & walking onto the cabin top to help the process. I could email pictures of the mast hinge but it requires welding & machine shop work. Regards, Bob B.
I hesitated to post my home made gin pole "mast up" solution because the "A" frame design is better than mine. I made a hinge at the mast plate for the mast & also at the gin pole lower end where it is hinged to the mast plate. I secure a doubled line from the end of the gin pole, around the mast, above the spreader. Another line from the end of the gin pole to a temporary block at the stem fitting & then back to the gib sheet winch or the cabin top halyard winch. Either winch works & are within reach while standing in the cockpit. When bringing the mast down, I put three wraps on the jibsheet winch & just slip it down, guiding the mast into the crutch with my other hand. My mast crutch should be a foot longer to get a better angle when first starting the "up" procedure. The gin pole is 1" aluminum conduit, two 4' sections. This is real strong. The crutch also 1" aluminum, total length 6' in two sections, fits into the rudder gudgeons. This works well for me but not as secure as the "A" frame design. I get some side wobble. One big potential problem! My shroud turnbuckles do not have toggles. Even though I unscrew the turnbuckles about 10 turns when raising or lowering the mast, the shrouds can become taut enough to bend the lower clevis part of the turnbuckle. I have to rotate the chain plate fitting to the direction that the shroud & turnbuckle has to rotate. When the mast is up, the chainplate fittings have to be aligned to the mast so the tension force on the shroud will not bend the tunbuckle clevis end. I think that a toggle should be a standard fitting? I never use the gin pole if I have a helper. It is easier to snap a line onto the forestay & just pull the mast up. One person can do it easily. The other person in the cockpit & walking onto the cabin top to help the process. I could email pictures of the mast hinge but it requires welding & machine shop work. Regards, Bob B.
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